Select messages received by the Editor

Hello

I read the article you wrote on sexual abuse... I was abused and... reading the article really helped me, knowing that I was not the only one to go through it and there where others, who are Muslim just like myself, who have been through it.

I hope you will keep mentioning abuse... as most Muslims, especially the older generation, are not really aware of this.
It can happen anywhere... and to anyone.

Thank you

Aisha
Bradford

Salaam

By Zulfi Bukhari
CEO MPACUK

This September a new intake of Muslim students will head towards the brave new world of university and they will be greeted by lurid newspaper headlines stating “Muslim Extremism on Campus!” and “Campus of Terror!” These stories will all be published within fresher’s week and will run in most of the national newspapers. How do I know this? Because this is what happened last year, and the year before and the one before that too.

1. The Eid which comes immediately after Ramadan is called:

A. Eid ul Adha
B. Mawlid un Nabi
C. Eid ul Fitr
D. Ashura

2. Seclusion in the Mosque in the last ten days of Ramadan is called:

A. Istikhara
B. Istinja
C. I’tikaaf
D. Istighfar

3. If a person abstained from food, drink and sexual intercourse without having any intention, is their fast valid?

A. Yes
B. No

4. Having a wet dream breaks the fast.

A. True
B. False

5. The reward of obligatory deeds in Ramadan is multiplied by how much?

A. 60
B. 70
C. 80
D. 90

6. Worship in the night of Laylatul Qadr is better than the worship of:

A. 1000 days
B. 1000 weeks
C. 1000 months
D. 1000 years

"Don't go to that mosque, they're Wahabbi”. “I don't give Salaam to Deobandis”. “You can’t pray behind Brelwis”. “Sufis are dodgy man!” “Those Salafis insult the Prophet (pbuh)!” “They're all Bid'ati, they're all going to hell”. “That group is Mushrik, stay away from them”. “Shias are all Kafir!”

By Jannah As-Sabil

Who do you aspire and look up to? What kind of person do you want to become? Ask yourself these questions with a sincere mind. Is it the wannabe gangsters on the street? The Hollywood or Bollywood stars? The Kings of Rap? Think for a moment. Are these role models going to lead you on a path to success in this life and in the Hereafter?

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much” [Qur’an 33:21]

By Sajid Iqbal & Zahid Maqbool

Ali takes Jamal with him to speak to his Dad about marriage...

Ali: Salaam Pops... how ya doin? This is Jamal.

Ali's Dad: Wa Alay Kum Salaam Ali. Did you bring me my Rusk biscuits? My milky tea is getting cold!

Ali: No Pop... I didn't, but I need to chat with you about summat serious...

Ali's Dad: NO! You cannot be on my car insurance!

Ali: Chill Dad, it’s more serious.

Ali's Dad: What! You want the remote control?

Ali: Nah... even more serious.

Ali's Dad: What!!??

Ali: Pops... I wanna... err… get married.

The belief in the Day of Judgement is part of our Aqeedah (creed) and is something which will definitely happen. Allah (swt) has warned us about it many times in the Qur’an, He says,

“Verily, the Hour (Day of Judgement) is surely coming, there is no doubt about it, yet most men believe not. [Qur’an 40:59].

The alarm on my Nokia went off. I turned over and glanced at the clock: 4:15am. Time for Suhur. I dragged myself out of bed so that I wouldn’t drop off back to sleep. With blurry eyes, I put on my dressing gown and made my way downstairs...

By Adnan Adrees

Marriage in Islam is the tranquillity of the soul, peace of mind and the recognition that there's someone equally as weird as you. Where a man and a woman can live together in an atmosphere of love, harmony, mutual advice and tolerance of the mother-in-law. Of course things can get complicated (not to mention weird and awkward) when you’re being encouraged to marry your cousin. Up until now you’ve been like brother and sister, but now you’re being asked to be “more” than that. Can such a relationship really be allowed?

So what’s the Islamic position?

The Story of One Man's Journey from Weed to Islam

By Abdullah bin Islam

Yes, I've smoked weed. I've blazed white widow, purple haze and terrible home-grown. I've had bongs, hot-boxes and I've pulled whiteys. I've bought Ounces, Henry's and a few mint leaves wrapped in a load of tinfoil. I've taken exams while high. I've sat down on the side of the road at the dead of night, trying to get control of my balance so I can get home and sneak upstairs without waking my parents. I've trekked halfway across London to pick up a tens, because all my regular dealers had ran out because it was Notting Hill Carnival weekend. I've boasted about being high-grade and looked down on people who couldn't smoke more than one spliff without their face turning green.